Belt conveyer



A. L. LEE

BELT CONVEYER May 22, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 8, 1945 Mama;-

ANN Um 1 i a May 22, 1951 A, L, LEE 2,554,037

BELT CONVEYER Original Filed March 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gw nfo p;

A'rHuR L LEE;

A. L. LEE

BELT CONVEYER May 22, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed March 8, 1945 May 22, 1951 I A. L. LEE 2,554,037

' v BELT CONVEYER Original Filed March 8, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 22, 1951 BELT .CGNVE'Y'ER Arthur L. Lee, Upper Arlington, Ohio, assignor to Th J re a urin Comp ny. 9.

poration of Ohio Or g na ap licatio Ma h. 8,. 1.345,. Ser al.A 9.-.

581 0- D ided an iserr 21,"1946, SerialNol. 704,183,.

ruary 25, 1946 16 Claims.

1 This invention relates to a belt conveyor, and more particularlyto a sectional underground entry gathering belt conveyor.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved simplified belt conveyor of the abovementioned type, which is extremely flexible and rugged, yet relatively inexpensive.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved construction for intermediate sections of the belt 'conveyer frame, including improved idler stand construction, improved chair construction and improved mechanism for interconnecting adjacent chairs of the intermediate sections.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for training both the' and to provide an improved bearing assembly and associated supporting and thrust taking mechanism.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, somewhat diagrammatic, illustrating a belt conveyor incorporating the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one form of head section of the conveyer of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, showing a different form of head section incorporating a novel drive for the belt, as well as a belt tensioning or take-up roller which is located ahead of a relatively stationary driving roller of the head section;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an intermediate section ofthe conveyer, including two chairs and associated idler stands; I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational View of a chair and associated idler stand of an intermediate section, together with the interconnected pans and a portion of :the associated belt;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on looki-ng the direction the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is an exploded view of an intermediate section of the belt clonveyer; also showing an associatedchair andidler stand, together with the connecting pan, in perspective;

Fig. 8- is a transverse sectional view, with cer tain parts also shown insection along different planes, showing particularly the chair, idler stand and associated pan of an intermediate section ofthe conveyor;-

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view. through the supporting bracket; of one or the. idler bearing" assemblies, with the bearing assembly and part .of the. associated pan shown in elevation; and I Fig. 10 is .a view taken along the line 0"?0 of Fig. -8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

This application is a division oi my-application Serial No. 581,630 filed March 8, 1945, for a Belt Conveyor.

Referring particularly to Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that the conveyor includes a frame which as a whole is designated by the reference character 20; said frame Zll being formed .of .a head ordrive section 2:], a footer tail section 22, and a plurality of intermediate sections 23, the number ofuwhich may be varied to provide a conveyor of variable length.

The head section 21 is disclosed more in .de- .tail in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and includes. a head pulley 24, an adjustable .or belt tensioning pulley 2 5, and .a .drivepulley 26.. When this-par:- ticular form of head section is employed, the foot .or' tail section 22 is non-.adlustably con; nected to the intermediate. sections a consequence, thefootror-tail pulley 2] .of the {tail section 22 is not adjustable. with respect tothe intermediate sections 23. The takeeup, pulley -25. compensates. for any stretching of attend- .1.35.5 conveyer belt 21}, .theupper run. .of which extend continuously between the. root. .or .tail pulley; 21 and header discharge pulley 24 over troughing idlers including those supported :by intermediate sections '23,.

' The return run or belt. 28. upon. leavin .1 ahead pulley 2.4, guided rearwa dl a ound the drive. pulley 2.6., then forwar ly around h adjustable pulley 215;, and then rearwa d y through the intermediate sections 23 to. thetail .plllley 251- As illustrated diagrammatically in Fig 1 iQf the drawings, .the drive. pulley .2.6. is drive. gfrom -.a motor .29 through aspeedreduoeriill drives .a transverse shaft :51 throughchain and .splfockel 23 is reeved about pulleys 25 and 2B. modified head section 39, the head pulley 24 is drive mechanism 32. The shaft 3| has a gear 33 on the opposite end from that of chain and sprocket drive mechanism 32, which meshes with another gear 34 keyed to the shaft of the drive pulley 26.

It is desirable that at least two pulleys drive the belt 28 and consequently I also drive the head pulley 24. This is effected by providing a chain and sprocket drive mechanism 35between the shaft 3| and the head shaft associated with head pulley 24. This drive mechanism 35 is preferably provided with a casing 36.

The above described arrangement of the head section is particularly desirable because it eliminates the necessity of providing for adjustment of the foot or tail pulley 21 and also eliminates undesirable features of prior known devices in which belt tensioning or adjustable pulleys have been associated with the head sections of underground belt conveyors. In general, in these prior devices the tensioning pulley was an additional pulley over the three otherwise employed, in- .volving the head pulley and a pair of drive pulleys. Thus, there were normally more than three pulleys in such head sections. Furthermore, they have been located to the rear of the drive pulley or pulleys and this has caused complications and, in some instances, undesirable increasing of the height of the rear portions of the head sections.

In my improved arrangement, with the adjustable pulley 25 ahead of, rather than behind, the drive pulley 26, there is inherently more .clearance for it, since it is desirable to have the head section gradually sloping upwardly and forwardly. Furthermore, by providing the driving arrangement of the drive pulley 26 and the head pulley 24, I still maintain two driving pulleys or drums.

The forward and rearward or longitudinal adjustment of the tensioning pulley 25 is provided by virtue of the fact that it is mounted :on a carriage 31 slidable in the base portion .of the frame of head section 2| and adjustable by a pair of threaded rods or screws, one of 'which is seen at 38, there being a similar one un the opposite side; the head of said opposite iscrew being clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings as a part of a complete conveyor in my copending application, Ser. No. 789,386, filed December 3, 1947, for a Belt Conveyor.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated a more or less standard form of head section '39 which differs from head section 2|, first of all, in that it has no belt tensioning pulley 25. On the other hand, it is provided with a pair of driving rollers, one of which is comparable -'to the above described roller 26, the other of which is mounted on a shaft generally similar to shaft 3|.

The general manner of reeving the belt 28 around the two drive pulleys of the head section 39 is similar to the manner in which the belt In this astaos'i preferably not driven. Also when this head section 39 is employed, the tail section 22 is preferably constructed to provide for tensioning adjustment of the tail or foot pulley 21, in a manner well understood in this art.

lhe head sections 2| or 39, as the case may be, include what is generally termed a special intermediate head end section which may, for the purpose of this description, be considered as a portion of the head section, these special intermediate sections being seen to the rear of the drive pulleys in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

It may be stated, in general, that these special intermediate head sections include special chairs 40, removable interconnecting pans 4|, and roll or idler stand assemblies 42 including troughing idlers which, except for obvious differences, are all generally similar in construction to their counterpart elements of the intermediate sections, which are disclosed and described in full detail hereinafter. Obviously, however, the chairs 48 will be of greater height than those of the intermediate sections.

Attention is now directed particularly to Figs. 4 to 10, inclusive, and to the construction of the intermediate sections 23 and the constituent parts thereof. The intermediate sections 23 are built up of a plurality of spaced-apart similar chair and idler or roll stand assemblies 43 which are of similar construction and the principal parts of each of which are a chair 44 and an idler or roll stand 45.

Interconnecting adjacent chair assemblies 43 and holding them in proper spaced relation and alignment, while providing for a certain amount of flexibility in their relative vertical positions, is an interconnecting frame member in the form of an inverted U-shaped pan 46, the structure of which is described in detail hereinafter.

Each chair 44 is formed of a rigid inverted U-shaped structural steel member having a generally horizontal fiat top cross-piece or cross plate 41 with a downwardly extending or upright leg or plate 48 at each end thereof, each leg 48 being provided with a pair of ground engaging feet 49. The feet 49 and adjacent portions of the leg 48 are preferably provided with reinforcing depressions or indentations 59. The

legs 48 and associated construction on each side of the transverse cross-piece 41 are of similar construction. Each leg or plate 48 includes a centrally disposed opening 5| which is of sufficient'size to provide for extending a return idler or roll 52 therethrough, which return idler 52 is supported by the chair 44 in a manner hereinafter described, and which supports the return run of the belt 28 and also provides for training of said return run of the belt.

Adjacent each opening 5| is an adjustable bracket assembly 53 which provides for the removable supporting of the adjacent end of the return idler 52 and also provides for adjustment of said supported end forwardly and rearwardly relative to the direction of travel of the belt 28 in a horizontal plane, or, in other words, provides for training adjustment of said idler 52.

The bracket assembly 53 includes a longitudinally extending generally U-shaped strap or plate 54 forming wings having elongated slots 55 adapted to receive nuts and bolts 56 which attach said wings of the strap 54 to the plate or leg 48 on opposite sides of the opening 5| and adjacent thereto. Elongated slots 55 provide for the training adjustment of the bracket assembly 53, since they provide for forward and rearward adjust- '52 through the bearing assembly 60.

S' fhent'of one end of'the return idler '52 which is supported by said bracket assembly I) The inner edges of the strap "or plate 54 are sheared and bent out to provide guide tabs 51 which act as guides and abutting means for a pivoted U-shaped bracket 58, at the upper and inner portion of which there is a U shaped bearing or supporting member 59 which receives and supports a bearing assembly '60 of the idle'r-52-, there, of course, being duplicate hearing assemb'li'es 68 on opposite ends of a hollow live shaft 6| (see Fig. 8) of the idler 52; the ends of the shaft 6| being welded to the ends of a cylindrical roller 62 of said idler 52. The shaft-61" extends beyond the ends of the roller-62 and is supported by the bearing assembly (it in aman ner' similar to that-hereinafter describedin connection with the troughing idlers.

The bracket or plate 58 also includes a square opening or hole 63 which receives asquared projection on the bearing assembly 60 and thus holds said bearing assembly 60 against rotation. This squared projection is also preferably pro vided with a grease fitting BA by which the bear- 7 ing of the bearing assembly'tll is lubricated.

At its '"bottom, the bracket or plate 58 is provided with an elongated pivotal opening 65 'fisee Fig. '6), which receives a pivot pin 65 rigidly-connected to and extending betweena pair of spaced outwardly extending Wings 6! formed on the bottom of the strap or plate 54. The top of the bracket or plate 58 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs or hooks 68 (see Fig. 6), there being one adjacent each edge andon opposite sides of the Ll-shaped member 59', the lugs or hooks 68 being adjustable sothat they can be lifted over and then moved downwardly to form an interlocking relation with inward projections of the strapor plate 54 relative to opening 5|, as clearlyillustrated in Fig.6 of the-drawings.

The normal assembled relation -of the "parts of the bracket assembly 53 is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the -drawings,'for example, and it is to be noted that the co-operating relation between the hooks 58' and projecting portions of the plate or strap 54 holds the U-shaped bracket 58 in a position to receive "and support the idler Opposite ends-of the idler 52 are Supported by the two similar bracket assemblies 53 and hearing asse'r'nblies 60. The relation of parts provides'a self-aligning type of bearing in a manner which isd'escribed more completely hereinafter, in connection with troughing idlers.

The training effect of the idler '52 may be adjusted by adjusting the bracket assembly 5'3 "o'neither or both o'fthe legs 48 of the-chair 44.

This,'of course, is "effected by loosening the 'nuts 56, after which adjustmentthey are'tightened to clamp the bracket assemblies 53 in position. An idler 52- may be removed from either side er the chair by the simple expedient of first lifting upwardly on the bracket or plate 58, then lifting the hooks 63 free of the projecting portions of strap or plate 54, as provided by the elongated pivotal opening 65. Thereupon, the bracket 58 may be swung downwardly and outwardly, as illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings, and the idler 52 can be moved outwardly assuggested in said Fig. 7, wherein an idler 52 is shown laterally of a chair 44. v

The hollow construction of shaft 51 of the idler '52- also provides" for lubricating the bearings of both bearing assemblies Gibby applying grease to one of them, This-may 'bebesirable, parti'cularly whereonly one of the-grease fittings G4 is readily accessible. This is also described more completely inconnection with the troughing idler roller, and it is to be understood that the fundamental relation between the roller and bearing assembly of the return idler 52 is the sameas that of each troughing idler. Each bracket 58, of course, not only supports the associated bearing assembly 6 0, but also takes any end thrust on the idler 5-2.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that upon each chair 44 and forming a part'of theassembly 4 3, is an'idler orroll' stand 45. Furthermore, intermediate each chair and stand assembly 43 and supported by an interconnecting pan 4-6 is a similar idler or roll stand "45. Each roll stand 45 includes an inverted U-shaped base or channel 69 which is adapted to rest on the cross-plate 47 of a chair 44' or on top of an inverted U--shapedpan 4B.

The channel 69 extends over and is directly attached to and guided by an inverted U--shaped idler stand'guiding and chair reinforcing member Ill which has feet or wings at the bottom thereof, which are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to cross-piece 41-. A similar member it is provided substantially at the center of each pan 46 to receive the associated idler stand 45, and to reinforce said pan 46.

In View of the channel shape of the base 59 it obviously will fit over the member 10 and the ledges provided by the feet thereof will act as guides to provide alignment of the idler stand 45 on the cross-piece 41, or the pan 46, as the case maybe. However, adequate clearance is provided between the upright webs of the base or channel 69 and the ledges provided by the feet of the cross-member I'D, so that the longitudinal a'xis'of the base or channel 88 may be angularly adjusted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member Til. This provides for manual adjus'tmentof the angle of the base 69 with respect to the axis of movement of the belt 28, thus pro viding for training action on said belt 23.

The opposite ends of the U-shaped members 10- are provided with open slots 'il through which bolts 12, provided with large square heads 13, extend, which square heads '13 co-operate with the side walls of the members '19 to prevent rotation of the bolts '12. The bolts -'!-2 extend through elongated slots 74 and receive clamping nuts 15. The elongated slots #4 provide the training adjustment of the idler stands -45 above mentioned.

The idler stands 45 also include a pair of similar or complementaryend brackets "it which support the outerand upper ends of inclined troughing idlers H, the inner and lower ends of which aresupported on spaced brackets 18. In addition, a center or horizontal idler 19 is provided, which is supported on spaced brackets '80; all of the brackets above mentioned being mounted on the base '69, with the last mentioned brackets spaced laterally from the others, relative to the axis of said idler stand 45.

Except for the inclined relation of the idler rollers '11, produced by the fact that the brackets '16 are longer than the brackets 18, the important structure of thebrackets l6, l8 and is similar.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings I have illustrated in somedetail the structure of the idler l9 and the associated brackets "80 which constitute important contributions of my invention. Said idler [9 includes a cylindrical roll ill with integral heads or ends which are welded or otherwise perinanently attachedto a transversely extending hollow-shaft 82. In other words, the hollow shaft 82 is a live shaft and rotates with the roll 8|. The shaft 82 extends along its own axis beyond the opposite heads of the roll 8|, forming projections which receive, for example, as by a relatively tight fit, the inner race 83 of a ball bearing assembly designated generally by the reference character 84.

The ball bearing assembly 84 is identical in construction to the previously mentioned hearing assembly 68. It includes a series of precision balls 85 which ride on the inner race 83 and within an outer race 88. The ball bearing formed by the inner and outer races 83 and 86 and the balls 85 is essentially of standard ball bearing construction, except that the outer periphery of the outer race 88 is crowned or is a segment of a sphere.

The ball bearing 8386 is mounted in a casing or housing 81 which is preferably formed of mild pressed steel, the casing or housing being open at one side and receiving a grease seal 88 which closes the opening of the casing in cooperation with the rotating inner race 83. a

The outer race 88 and easing or housing 81 are, of course, stationary, and the outer end of the casing 81 includes'an integral head or plate 89, at the center of which is a boss or projection 90 which has square sides extending into a U shaped bifurcated clip 9| which co-operates with said square boss or projection 98 to prevent rotation of the bearing assembly 84. Furthermore, as best illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the prongs of the clip 9| are preferably curved at their points of contact with the head or plate 89 of casing 81, thus providing a rolling contact therewith.

Furthermore, said spaced points of rolling contact between the prongs of clip 9| and said head or plate 89 lie in a plane which passes through the axis of the shaft 82 or, in other words, through the axis of the idler F9, or of the idlers 11, as the case may be. It is thus evident that axial thrusts of the idlers 11 or 19 are taken by the bifurcated clips 9| along their axes and thus there is no rotating moment which tends to cause twisting or rotating of the bearing assemblies 84 in planes at right angles to their axes.

The squared sides of the projections or bosses 98 also serve an additional purpose. Said projections or bosses 99 are provided with grease fittings 92 which provide for lubrication of the bearings 8388. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the receiving nipple of these projections extends at an angle to the axis of the bearing assembly 84, and this nipple may extend to any one of four different angles, depending upon how the projection 90 is received by the prongs of the clip 9|. The grease fitting will be held in any position to which it is thus adjusted.

By referring again to Fig. 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that at the center portion the head or plate 89 is close to, but slightly spaced from, the adjacent face of the inner race 83. This performs two functions. First of all, it provides a path which ofiers some resistance to the flow of grease which is delivered to the central portion of the casing or housing 81 through the fitting 92 and boss 98, so that the grease will not all how to this immediate bearing, but a portion of it will flow through the central bore or passageway provided by the hollow shaft 82 and thus flow to the interior of the other bearing assembly 84 on the other end of the shaft 82. This is particularly important where, as in some instances, only one of the grease fittings 92 of any idler,

is readily reached for lubrication. An illustration of this, of course, is found in the inclined idler 11, since the inner bearing assemblies are not readily reached for lubrication.

The structure above described also performs another very important function. In View of the flexibility of the integral head or plate 89 which is inherent in its structure and material, it will readily deflect under force, and thus it is possible, by putting a pipe or fitting over the boss 99, to apply pressure through the head 89 directly on to the inner race 83 without appreciable force traveling through the balls 85 which might cause brinnelling. This is of particular importance in assembling a bearing assembly 84 on the exposed portion of a shaft 82, as it is desirable that the inner race 83 have a reasonably tight fit with said shaft 82.

Attention is now directed to the mounting of the bearing assemblies 84. The portion of the casing 81, which is in close contact with the outer race 86, provides an outer bearing surface which is substantially a portion of a sphere, for example, a portion which might result from cutting a sphere by two spaced parallel planes equidistant from the major diameter thereof. In other words, if a plane were passed substantially through the center of the balls 85, it would cut a circle. If a plane were passed through the axis of the shaft 82 which is the same as the axis of the idler 11 or 19 and the axis of the bearing assembly 84, this plane would cut the housing 81 and on the top and bottom it would be along an are which is preferably an arc of a circle, though. it need not be so, provided it has a somewhat arcuate surface. The section of the bearing assembly 84, seen in Fig. 8, is taken along such a plane.

Thus, this bearing surface which is essentially a segment of a sphere and which is designated 93, will have a rolling contact with a co-operating U-shaped receiving portion 94 0f the brackets 16, 18 or 80, as the case may be. In other words, insofar as said receiving portion 94 is concerned, it is the same on each of the brackets 18, 18 and 80.

ThisU-shaped receiving portion is generally flat, as viewed in section in a plane passing through the axis of shaft 82 or idler 11 or 19, as the case may be. It is obvious, ,of course, that the bearing surface provided by the receiving portion 94 may, if desired, be made convex in the inclined plane, and the bearing surface 93 might be made substantially cylindrical and produce a similar result. The important characteristic is that one of these surfaces should be convex relative to the other, as viewed in any plane through the axis thereof, thus to provide a rolling contact between the two bearing surfaces 93 and 94.

Also, as best illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings, the peripheral contact between the bearing surfaces 93 and 94 extends over an area which is preferably substantially 180 and is desirably at least in extent.

In Fig. 10 of the drawings, the clearance provided for the insertion and removal of the bearing assembly 84 in the receiving portion 94 of bracket 16, has been slightly exaggerated.

The structure of each bearing assembly 84 and co-operating supporting and end thrust taking structure is of considerable importance. First of all, the bearing surface 93 has a large radial angle of contact with the supporting surface 94 .and thus it will not become grooved, flat, or uningsurfaces 93 and 94 extends preferably over It has been found in practice that irregularities in manufacture quite generally produce some cyclic oscillation of portions of the bearings. In

many such devices, where the inner and outer races of the bearings are held rigid, this produces binding and undesirable friction. In my arrangement, the bearing surface 93 is free to roll, as required for each cycle of operation, on the bearing surface .94, thus eliminating any undesidable binding or friction during operation. Furthermore, since the inner race of the bearing is the one that rotates, and since its peripheral diameter is less than that of the outer race, it is obvious that the frictional drag inherently produced by the rotation of the balls of the hearing will be a minimum and will be less than that where the outer race is the rotating one, and the inner race the stationary one. Still further, since the axial thrust is taken along a plane passing through the axes of the idlers, there will be no twisting effect on the bearing assemblies 84.

The rollers and bearings in combination and the bearings per se, above described, are claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 763,822, filed July 26, 1947, for a Conveyor Belt Supporting Mechanism.

Referring now to Figs. 4, '7 and 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that each of the U-shaped pans 46 includes a rolled reinforcing bead 95 ad jacent its bottom edge and at each end is provided with a pair of spaced holes 96 each adapted to receive and extend over a pin or projection 91 on the chair 44. It is obvious that each chair 44 will have four pins 91, one adjacent each corner of the cross-piece 4'! thereof, and that the opposite ends of each pan 46 will be supported on adjacent chairs and held there by a pair of pins 91.

Furthermore, adjacent each end, the pan 45 is provided with a U-shaped reinforcing and wear strap 98 which is welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the inner face of said pan is adjacent each end.

To provide a smooth contour between the edges of the pans 4i? and the chairs 44, for example, as best illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, each chair is recessed at its opposite sides, both on the cross-piece 4i and on a portion of each leg 43, to

receive the strapQS and the end portion of each pan 46; these recesses being designated lie. Also both the top and side portions of each recess 99 are provided with depressions or indentations Hi9 which reinforce these portions of the chair M and also act to provide smooth or rounded surfaces which may be contacted by the top or the edges of the return run of the belt 28. In other words, this prevents the return run of the belt 28 contacting sharp or cutting edges and thus prevents damage being done to it.

From the above description, it is obvious that elements of the intermediate sections 23 of the belt conveyor may be broken down into a great many small parts and this is of importance in the transportation of intermediate sections, since they may be laid on top of the 'beltand delivered to the point where they are to be used. In the drawings and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pans #5 are shown as one piece pans. If desired, however,.theymay be splitdown the :middleor may be split into three parts,.ine

eluding a-central portion and two. side pa I any such splitting is done, it may be desired to employ .additional pins or projections 91, to the end that each portion or at least each outside portion will have two pins holding it to each chair 44.

It is further obvious that I have provided a belt conveyor intermediate section construction in which both the working and return runs of th belt may be, trained. Furthermore, it is possible .to remove an idler stand 45 and all its idlers, While. other idler stands on opposite sides there f are supporting the belt. For example, the idler stand is. supported by pan 46,, maybe removed, while the belt 28 is supported by idler. stands on h chairs 44. r vice. versa.

It is, of course, obvious that each individual idler 11 or 19 may be, rem v a d re aced by the simple expedient of lifting it upwardly ut of its supporting bracket. Also any return idler 5.2 may be removed from either side of the chair by swinging its supporting bracket 52 downwardly and removing the idler 52 through an opening 5L The other features of the belt conveyor are believed evident from the previous description.

thereof. Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and c e 0f the inven ion as defined b th la m hereto appended, and I her f e Wish not to be restricted to the precise construction herein dis closed.

Havin thus esc b and h wn an embod mentnf my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

LA chair for a belt conveyer including an inerted iJ-s aped membe havi spa e egs and ground en a in ee and a b t Supporting e? supported by sai l ss sai idler ncl d g a a t and exposed end bearings, said end bearings having enclosing casin s. and a .ueshaped pivoted bracket means on a leg and adjacent an opening therein throu h wh aid idl r m y b e .tended adapted to recei e nd. S PPQ sa d. hea ing casin 2. A chair for a belt conveyor including an in verted U-Shaped member having spaced legs and ground engaging feet and a .belt supporting idler supported by said legs, said idler including a shaft and exposed end bearings, said end bearings having enclosing casings, and a U-shaped b cket means on a lee a d adj cen n o n therein through which said idler maybe extended a apted to receive and suppc t said b g a e ing.

3, A chair for a belt conveyor including an in yerted U-shaped member having spaced legs and r und enga ing fe t and a belt supp r ng l r supp rted bysa d ss. said i le nc ding a sha t and exposed end bearings, said end bearings having enclosing casings, and a U.-shaped pivoted bracket means on. a leg adapted to receive and support said bearing casing.

.4. A chair for a belt conveyor including an inverted Ueshaped member having spaced legs and ground en ging feet and a bel up Qr i r -rl n ted b s id less, sa d i l i cluding a sh and exposed lend bearings, said end bearings ,having enclosing casin s, and a U-shaped bracket means .on a leg adapted to receive and support saidbearing casing.

.5. In belt conveyor mechanism, an upright supportin member having an opening therein through which a belt idler may be extended, a

belt idler including an end supporting bearing member, a U-shaped bracket for receiving and supporting said bearing member, a second supporting member mounted on said first supporting member and adjustable relatively thereto to adjust the training effect of said idler, means pivotally mounting said bracket on said second supporting member providing for swinging movement thereof toward and away from said opening, interlocking means for holding said bracket in idler supporting position including an upright plate of said second supporting member adjacent said opening, and hook means on said pivoted bracket adapted to hook over said upright plate and be held thereby.

6. In belt conveyor mechanism, an upright supporting member having an opening therein through which a belt idler may be extended, a belt idler including an end supporting member, a U-shaped bracket for receiving and supporting said member, a second supporting member mounted on said first supporting member and adjustable relatively thereto to adjust the training effect of said idler, means pivotally mounting said bracket on said second supporting member providing for swinging movement thereof toward and away from said opening, interlocking means for holding said bracket in idler supporting position including an upright plate of said second supporting member adjacent said opening, and hook means on said pivoted bracket adapted to hook over said upright plate and be held thereby.

'7. In belt conveyor mechanism, an upright supporting member having an opening therein through which a belt idler may be extended, a belt idler including an end supporting member, a U-shaped bracket for receiving and supporting said member, a second supporting member mounted on said first supporting member and adjustable relatively thereto to adjust the training effect of said idler, means pivotally mounting said bracket on said second supporting member providing for swinging movement thereof toward and away from said opening, and interlocking means for holding said bracket in idler supporting position.

8. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a pressed steel one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U-shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing surface of said casing and said bearing support of said bracket having co-opcrating bearing surfaces which contact over an arc in excess of 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said idler, at least one of said co-operating bearing surfaces also being curved convexly relative to the other in a plane passing through the axis of said idler to provide co-opcrating rolling bearing contact between them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support, and an abutment on said bracket co-operating with the outer end of said casing and having a rolling contact therewith at spaced points on opposite sides of the axis of said idler shaft and lying in a plane pass 12 ing therethrough and adapted to take the axial thrust of said idler.

9. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, and a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U-shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing surface of said casing and said bearing support of said bracket having co-operating bearing surfaces which are substantially circular over an arc in excess of 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said idler, at least one of said cooperating bearing surfaces also being curved convexly relative to the other in a plane passing through the axis of said idler to provide co-operating rolling bearing contact between them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support.

10. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U- shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing surface of said casing and said bearing support of said bracket having co-operating bearing surfaces which are substantially circular over an arc in excess of 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said idler, at least one of said co-operating bearing surfaces also being curved convexly relative to the other in a plane passing through the axis of said idler to provide co-operating rolling bearing contact between them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support, and an abutment on said bracket co-operating with the outer end of said casing and having contact therewith at spaced points on opposite sides of the axis of said idler shaft and lying in a plane passing therethrough and adapted to take the axial thrust of said idler.

l1. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U-shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing through the axis of said idler to provide co-operating rolling bearing contact between them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support, and an abutment on said bracket co-operating with the outer end of said casing and adapted to take the axial thrust of said idler.

12. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted i to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, and a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a pressed steel one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U-shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing surface of said casing and said bearing support of said bracket having co-operating bearing surfaces Which contact over an arc in excess of 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said idler, at least one of said cooperating bearing surfaces also being curved convexly relative to the other in a plane passing through the axis of said idler to provide co-operating rolling bearing contact between them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support.

13. Conveyor belt supporting mechanism including an idler supporting bracket, said bracket including a U-shaped bearing support adapted to receive and support an idler bearing assembly, a belt supporting idler having a rigidly attached roller and shaft and a bearing assembly for said shaft, said bearing assembly including a bearing and a pressed steel one piece casing for said bearing, said casing including an outer bearing race receiving portion which is of generally cylindrical shape and has an outer bearing surface received in said U-shaped bearing support of said bracket and is closed at its outer end, said outer bearing surface of said casing and said bearing support of said bracket having co-operating bearing surfaces which are substantially circular over an arc in excess of 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said idler, at least one of said co-operating bearing surfaces also being curved convexly relative to the other in a plane passing through the axis of said idler to provide co-operating rolling bearing contact between '14 them upon movement of the axis of said bearing assembly relative to said support, and an abutment on said bracket co-operating with the outer end of said casing and having a rolling contact therewith at spaced points on opposite sides of the axis of said idler shaft and lying in a plane passing therethrough and adapted to take the axial thrust of said idler.

14. An idler mechanism for a belt conveyor including a roller having a live shaft and a supporting bearing assembly, said bearing assembly having an outer peripheral bearing surface which is of generally cylindrical shape, supporting means co-operating with said outer bearing surface and providing a rolling contact therewith over an arc of at least 90 degrees, and means for taking the end thrust on said bearing assembly in a plane passing through the axis of said shaft.

15. An idler mechanism for a belt conveyor including a roller having a live shaft and a supporting bearing assembly, said bearing assembly having an outer peripheral bearing surface which is of generally cylindrical shape, supporting means cooperating with said outer bearing surface and providing a rolling contact therewith, and means for taking the end thrust on said bearing assembly in a plane passing through the axis of said shaft.

16. An idler mechanism for a belt conveyor including a roller having a live shaft and a supporting bearing assembly, said bearing assembly having an outer peripheral bearing surface which is of generally cylindrical shape, supporting means co-operating with said outer bearing surface and providing a rolling contact therewith, and means for taking the end thrust on said bearing assembly in a plane passing through the axis of said shaft.

ARTHUR L. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,546,362 Beemer July 21, 1925 1,629,054 Smith May 17, 1927 2,017,290 Parker Oct. 15, 1935 2,018,973 Pomeroy Oct. 29, 1935 2,264,635 Graham Dec. 2, 1941 2,312,610 Weiss et a1. Mar. 2, 1943 

